The GGOS Bureau for Standards and Conventions (GGOS-BSC) has been established as a component of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) of IAG to provide geodetic products with highest accuracy, consistency, temporal and spatial resolution referred to a unique and long-term stable reference frame. The organizational structure of GGOS is shown in the figure.

A major goal of the GGOS-BSC is to coordinate the establishment and maintainance of unique standards for the processing of geodetic observations for geometric and for gravimetric techniques within GGOS and IAG. The geodetic standards include, i.e., physical units and constants, mathematical-physical models for geodetic observations and reduction models. Various standards have been defined for specific geodetic fields (e.g., IAG Resolutions, IERS Conventions) which form the basis for the work of the BSC. However, the standards presently in use are not fully consistent and they do not cover the full spectrum of geodetic products.

Thus it is an important task of the GGOS-BSC to compile a consistent set of "GGOS Standards and Conventions" and to distribute them among the geodetic and the broader scientific community, to recommend their use and to support various applications. Towards this aim, the GGOS-BSC shall establish an inventory of geodetic standards, identify deficits and gaps and organize the improvement and updating of geodetic standards. The GGOS-BSC is also in charge, to strictly observe that the compliance with the standards and conventions to guarantee consistence of the geodetic products.

Selected publications